Royal week is in full swing in Scotland and Queen Camilla has worn a significant brooch to the annual garden party.
6,000 guests gathered at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh last night to meet the King and Queen, as well as the Princess Royal, who was also in attendance.
Looking smart as always, Queen Camilla was wearing a chic white coat, white gloves and a white hat – though it was the diamond brooch displayed on the senior royal’s coat that caught our eye.
Leading diamond and fine jewellery experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have taken a close look at the brooch, revealing everything you need to know – including its value and where we’ve seen it before.
Queen Camilla was wearing an antique diamond thistle brooch, which features two thistles – the floral emblem of Scotland.
The brooch belonged to Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) who frequently wore it on her hats through the 1940s, but for very few occasions after that timeframe.
When she passed away in 2002, her daughter Queen Elizabeth II inherited her jewellery and this was one of the many pieces that she passed on to Camilla, who has held it in frequent rotation ever since – she debuted the brooch on a visit to New Zealand in 2015.
Our experts estimate the antique piece to be worth approximately $25,000 (£20,000).
“The Royal ladies are known for paying subtle tributes through their jewellery and Queen Camilla wore an incredibly apt brooch for the annual garden party at Holyrood House in Edinburgh – a diamond brooch that features two thistles, which are the floral emblem of Scotland.
This is the first Royal week since the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, so it’s heartwarming to see Queen Camilla make a subtle nod to the late monarch, who displayed her love and enthusiasm for Scotland throughout her long life – in fact, she was often seen wearing a thistle brooch of her own.
The brooch belonged to Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) who frequently wore it on her hats through the 1940s, but for very few occasions after that timeframe. When she passed away in 2002, her daughter Queen Elizabeth II inherited her jewellery and this was one of the many pieces that she passed on to Camilla, who has held it in frequent rotation ever since.
Our experts estimate the antique piece to be worth $25,000 (£20,000).”
maxwell stone, leading diamond expert, steven stone
Queen Elizabeth II’s Thistle of Scotland brooch
Queen Elizabeth and Queen Camilla aren’t the only royals to pay tribute to Scotland through their jewellery and Queen Elizabeth II was frequently seen wearing a thistle brooch of her own, which features three thistles rendered in diamonds and was worn by the late monarch at Royal Ascot in 2015.
Maxwell commented: “Incorporating white and yellow gold, the Queen’s Thistle of Scotland brooch is certainly eye-catching.
The intricate brooch features a combination of diamond baguettes and round diamonds. Representing 75% of all diamonds sold, the round cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape, which is unsurprising as due to their ability to optimize light reflection, they’re brighter and more brilliant than all other diamond shapes.
With all of this in mind, I’d estimate the pieces value to be £42,000.”
If you’re looking for jewellery to rival the Royal Collection, our team can design bespoke creations, tailored to you. From engagement rings and wedding rings to necklaces and pendants, your options are limitless.
Follow us on our socials
Pop over to our social platforms to keep up to date with Steven Stone’s latest jewellery content and news.
